General Ownership & Control
Leash & Muzzle Rules
- Wyoming has no statewide leash law, but most counties/cities enforce leash requirements.
- Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie, Rock Springs, and Sheridan require dogs to be leashed in public (usually ≤6 ft).
- Under Wyoming Statutes §11-31-107, owners are liable for damages caused by dogs running at large.
- Muzzles are not required for regular dogs.
- Dogs classified as “dangerous” under §11-31-107(b) must be:
- Muzzled when in public
- Restrained with a strong leash
- Confined in a secure enclosure on private property
Breed-Specific Bans/Restrictions
- Wyoming has no statewide breed bans.
- Municipalities generally do not ban breeds, though small towns may impose special requirements (insurance, permits) for pit bull–type breeds.
- Service dogs cannot be restricted by breed.
Licensing & Microchipping
- Licensing is handled locally, not statewide.
- Most counties require annual dog licensing starting at 5–6 months old with proof of current rabies vaccination.
- Microchipping is not legally required but strongly encouraged and commonly required for shelter adoptions.
Service Dogs & Assistance Animals
Legal Definitions
Under the ADA and Wyoming Fair Employment and Housing Act (W.S. §27-9-105), a service dog is a dog trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability, such as:
- Guiding visually impaired individuals
- Hearing alerts
- Mobility or balance support
- Psychiatric service tasks (interruption, alerts, grounding)
Public Access Rights
- Service dogs have full access to restaurants, housing, hotels, public transit, retail stores, workplaces, schools, and government buildings, under ADA and W.S. §35-13-203.
- Denying access is unlawful discrimination.
Certification/ID Requirements
- Wyoming does not require certification or identification for service dogs.
- Only the two ADA-compliant questions may be asked.
- Misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is illegal under W.S. §35-13-203(c), punishable by fines.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) & Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA)
Legal Recognition
Emotional Support Animals and Psychiatric Service Animals are only recognised in Wyoming when registered with an accredited organisation that verifies their need and legitimacy.
Housing Rights
- Registered ESAs/PSAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and W.S. §27-9-106, requiring landlords to offer reasonable accommodation in no-pet housing when valid registration/documentation is provided.
Travel Rights
- Airlines: Only trained, registered psychiatric service dogs qualify under DOT rules.
- ESAs follow airline pet policies.
- Public transit:
- Service dogs always allowed
- ESAs/PSAs may be accepted case-by-case depending on behavior and operator policy
Veterinary & Animal Welfare Standards
Vaccination Schedules
- Rabies vaccination required statewide for all dogs ≥3 months (W.S. §11-31-301).
- Proof must be presented for licensing or upon request.
- Recommended additional vaccines: DHPP (distemper, parvo, adenovirus, parainfluenza).
Neutering/Spaying Regulations
- Not required statewide.
- Most shelters must sterilize dogs before adoption.
Animal Welfare Acts
Under W.S. §6-3-203, cruelty laws mandate that owners must:
- Provide adequate food, water, shelter, and vet care
- Protect animals from extreme heat/cold
- Avoid prolonged confinement
- Prevent abuse, abandonment, or neglect
Penalties range from misdemeanors to felonies.